The role of muscarinic cholinoceptors in the retrieval of an operant food-related conditioned reflex in cats.

Experiments on cats showed that lesions affecting retrieval of an operant food-procuring reflex. occurring on a background of systemic administration of the centrally-acting muscarinic cholinoceptor blocker scopolamine (a non-selective M-cholinoceptor blocker) and trihexyphenidyl (a relatively selective M1-cholinoceptor blocker), might be associated with the central and peripheral side effects of these blockers, preventing performance of the conditioned reflex. It was established that when no side effects were present (low doses of trihexyphenidyl, 1 mg/kg), blockade of M1-cholinoceptors led to selective loss of the motor operant reflex while contextual behavior and other conditioned responses were retained or led to errors in performance of the reflex: this appears to be evidence that derangement of launching and performing the motor program is the most important component of the conditioned reflex. Systemic administration of trihexyphenidyl at a dose of 10 mg/kg, scopolamine at doses of 0.03 and 0.06 mg/kg, and the peripherally-acting non-selective blocker methylscopolamine at a dose of 0.03 mg/kg led to changes in the general functional state (disturbances in the emotional-motivational sphere), the extent of which depended on the individual sensitivity of the animal to the anticholinergic agents. The presence of side effects led to complete cessation of conditioned reflex activity, though this appeared not to be associated with memory impairment.